Cairn House

Cairn House is a country residence near Carrickfergus, designed by 2020 Architects for clients who wanted a modern Irish home with the permanence and solidity of traditional Georgian and Regency buildings. The brief called for a house that would complement its rugged Northern Irish setting.

Anchoring the scheme is a long stone wall that takes its cue from the field boundaries surrounding the site. It was built from a mix of stone taken from the site itself and additional local stone. From the outside, the wall presents a strong, theatrical face that visitors step through a dark recess to enter the house. Inside, the same wall guides movement, signalling the direction of travel and lending each space its character.

Stone, render and slate, the traditional rural materials of Ireland, form the palette throughout. The composition reflects the renewed confidence in Northern Irish architecture, shaping these familiar materials into a form that responds to site conditions and the clients' brief. Light, space and framed views run through the plan, with the stone wall setting the mood of each room.

Project credits: Architect, 2020 Architects. Engineer, Michael McCurdy. Technician, Gareth Boyd. Photography, 2020 Architects and Emma Stewart.